The first guard in football history to earn a $100,000 salary
In short: Before the era of multi-million dollar contracts, Larry Little broke the glass ceiling for offensive linemen. An undrafted free agent who became a cornerstone of one of the most dominant teams in sports history, his journey from Miami's Overtown to the Pro Football Hall of Fame redefined what a lineman could achieve.
Larry Chatmon Little’s professional path began with a gamble. In 1967, he signed as an undrafted free agent with the San Diego Chargers simply because they offered him the largest signing bonus available: $750. While his early years in San Diego were marked by struggles with weight control under coach Sid Gillman, a pivotal trade to the Miami Dolphins in 1969 changed everything. Under the guidance of legendary head coach Don Shula, Little transformed into an intimidating force on the line, missing only four games over eleven seasons despite numerous injuries.
Little became a vital component of the Dolphins' 'punishing' running attack during the early to mid-1970s. He was instrumental in the 1972 season where the team went 17-0, setting a then-record for rushing yards (2,960) in a 14-game season. His dominance as both a pass and run blocker earned him five Pro Bowl selections and seven All-Pro honors. By 1973, his individual success reached a milestone of its own: he became the first guard in professional football to be paid an annual salary of $100,000.
Beyond his accolades as a player—which included being named to the NFL's 1970s All-Decade Team—Little dedicated himself to mentorship. He served as the head football coach at his alma mater, Bethune-Cookman University, and later at North Carolina Central University, where he helped develop several future coaches. His legacy is cemented not just in the Pro Football Hall of Fame (inducted in 1993), but also through his community work running a summer camp for underprivileged children.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Larry Little
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